Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 348

Patek, Philippe & Cie., Genève, No. 25308, Retailed by Pena, Madrid, probably ordered on the occasion of the Duke of Montpensier's marriage to Princess Luisa Fernanda on Oct 10, 1864.Very fine, rare and important 18K gold, keyless, astronomical watch with fly-back retrograde perpetual calendar and phases of the moon.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 13,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 141,000

C. Four-piece, "Empire" type, of unusual construction, with back cover finely engraved with the Duke of Montpensier's coat-of-arms, covered by glazed bezel to protect the engraving, both bezels reeded. D. White enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute track, retrograde date sector, above phases of the moon aperture, days of the week aperture above 6 o'clock, months sub dial between 7 and 8 o'clock, subsidiary seconds between 4 and 5 o'clock. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 43 mm. (19'''), nickel, "fauses côtes" decoration, gold train, 20 jewels, straight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring.Signed on the dial by the retailer, numbered on the movement and the case.Diam. 50 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Some of Patek Philippe's legendary equation watches were ordered by Pena, the most important watch dealer in Madrid, for his aristocratic clientele. Although their whereabouts are unknown today, they were so important that the company took pictures which are still preserved in the company's archives. Some of them are published in "Patek Philippe, Geneva", by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, Geneva 1982, pp. 175, 181.The present watch features several very unusual characteristics. The case with its back glazed to protect the engraved coat-of-arms is very rare. Breguet produced some cases with glazed backs, (see Antiquorum, October 19, 2002, lots 112 and 113) and some cases are designed to protect enameled and repoussé watches, but the arrangement of the present watch is almost never encountered.The perpetual calendar, built as an integral part of the pillar plate, is completely different from that of other examples, in which the perpetual calendar is built on an additional steel plate. The mechanism is very well made, with the retrograde lever terminating with a roller.